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Hyundai Elantra vs Nissan Sentra

66 messages,  Last post on Jun 03, 2007 at 10:34 AM

You are in the Nissan Sentra Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra, Sedan

Messages Page 5 of 7

#39 of 66 Re: Review [bamacar] by spmrebel

Nov 01, 2006 (11:37 pm)

Replying to: bamacar (Nov 01, 2006 6:07 pm)
Was that 550 miles a lot of highway or city mileage? The mileage that C/D got is on the low side of the Elantra's EPA rating of 28/36. I would have expected around 30 or maybe equal to Corolla/Civic. Was this with stick? If this is stick, it doesn't bode well at all for Elantra for its mileage.
 
On Mazda was this with the 2.3L engine? Stick or auto? If auto this is pretty good considering Mazda 3 has a bigger engine, more power and low end torque.
 
Still waiting for my C/D issue.

#40 of 66 Re: Review [spmrebel] by germancarfan1

Nov 02, 2006 (7:36 am)

Replying to: spmrebel (Nov 01, 2006 11:37 pm)
I believe the Mazda was the 3s 5M 160HP rated at 26/33. Returning 27MPG is pretty darn good. The Elantra's mileage isn't exactly impressive for a car that has only 138HP and rated at 28/36. Though it is inline with the 25-26 MPG I get with my 2004 Elantra rated at 26/34.
 
Comparing mileage costs between the Elantra and Civic, you'll be saving roughly $200 at $2.50/g for 15K miles a year. Over a 5 year period, factoring in depreciation savings with the Civic, any difference in cost between the 2 cars will evaporate quickly. Basically, since it's pretty much a wash, buy the car that you like the most.

#41 of 66 Re: Review [germancarfan1] by backy

Nov 02, 2006 (10:06 am)

Replying to: germancarfan1 (Nov 02, 2006 7:36 am)
You are forgetting about discounts and, eventually, rebates that will be available on the Elantra. For $1000-1500 difference, I agree, it's really a wash. But for $4000 difference? And then there's the little issue of the polarizing styling of the Civic, and lack of room--if those are important.

#42 of 66 Polarizing Style? by sandman46

Nov 02, 2006 (6:46 pm)

What do you mean by "polarizing style"? The only thing a little on the odd side is the short overhang of the Civics hood and longish dashboard inside up to the windshield. I personally like the look and am glad I got the sedan instead of the coupe. If I didn't have the spine problems that have been getting much worse since my accident, I would've jumped on the coupe. But the longer & heavier doors plus the somewhat claustraphobic back seat area made me go for the sedan.
I did sit in the Elantra before I bought, but the seats for me were a deal breaker. I couldn't get comfortable and my spine really hurt just sitting in the showroom. I did my "sit test" and the only cars that passed it were the Corolla & the Civic. The Sonata seats were great for me, especially with the power function, but the size knocked it out of contention, as well as the mpg's.
 
The Sandman

#43 of 66 Re: Polarizing Style? [sandman46] by backy

Nov 02, 2006 (7:45 pm)

Replying to: sandman46 (Nov 02, 2006 6:46 pm)
C/D called the Civic "hugely polarizing" in their December comparo. Two quotes from their editors:
 
"I dig the futuristic, artsy look."
 
"I hate everything but the way it drives."
 
Did you sit in the 2007 Elantra before buying your Civic?
 
BTW, there is a Civic vs. Elantra discussion...

#44 of 66 Re: Polarizing Style? [sandman46] by herotakesafall

Nov 02, 2006 (8:03 pm)

Replying to: sandman46 (Nov 02, 2006 6:46 pm)
It really does have very polarizing style. Most people go into the love it/hate it category, but I'm in the middle. I think the front/side/most of the interior looks really sharp, but I think the taillight design is horrible. It's all opinion, though. It's at least an interesting enough design where I don't make fun of people who drive them. I save that for all the Five Hundreds, Tauruses, and Sebrings I see.

#45 of 66 Re: Car and Driver review [backy] by herotakesafall

Nov 02, 2006 (8:05 pm)

Replying to: backy (Oct 31, 2006 5:30 pm)
I think whatever highway noise the people are talking about is only with the Elantra manual, probably. It's still a strange comment. If you read Consumer Reports' review of the '07 Accent, they say the same thing - engine noise is very pronounced due to the gearing of the manual. I don't really understand how that works myself, but they didn't have any complaints about the automatic version. Maybe that's the case with the new auto Elantra, then.

#46 of 66 Re: Car and Driver review [herotakesafall] by backy

Nov 02, 2006 (8:26 pm)

Replying to: herotakesafall (Nov 02, 2006 8:05 pm)
Yes, I think that's it. But what is really odd about C/D's comments on engine noise on the Elantra is that it was the quietest car in the test at 70 mph cruise. It is actually as quiet as the 2007 Altima that they tested in the same issue. So go figure... maybe going from 70 to 72 mph triggers the screaming banshees in their cages in the engine bay, so the noise is a lot greater .

#47 of 66 Re: Car and Driver review [backy] by eduright

Nov 03, 2006 (8:56 am)

Replying to: backy (Nov 02, 2006 8:26 pm)
Hi,
 
I have driven all of the cars discussed in this thread many times, just recently.
 
Elatra- very noisy as it goes faster, and especially with the manual at high speeds (and rpm). Automatic has a "hole" in its third gear power. Suspension hadles concret section bumps that recurr reguarly very poorly- the car bobs like a basketball being bounced fast at three feet- the stick does not have the power freeze in third gear.
 
Sentra- A better engineered car than Elantra- quieter, plushish ride with good handling- less taut than my Corolla-
suprisingly smoothe and quet ride in the Sentra- feels a bit too plush to corner well, but it does- seems to be a better seat/leg fit to use pedals than Corolla, but neither car has tilt telescope steering; the Elantra does.
 
Corolla- My Corolla LE averages 31 to 34.5 mpg. depending on AC use, etc. But unlike the other cars, it does not have active head restraint system- stability control is an option but there were only three cars produced this way and I think that two of them are in Bosnia (tisk-tisk) The ride is a bit noisy and taut, but it is comfortable compared to a Mazda 3 or 6 THe Corolla is an amazing 1.8 engine driven car. Only the Civic can match its MPG.
 
Civic- annoying reflection in winshield of dashboard- rough riding car on bumps- you can hit the ceilng on bigger ones!
I am tall.... So-so acceleration, Good MPG. HMM, the Civic might not have active head restraints??? Not impressed by the Civic at all. Ride is not very good- too taut, stiff, nervous...............
 
Gas prices are going to rise again, and low mpg. cars will become more and more unattractive- in Britain they may be heavily taxed soon....

#48 of 66 Re: Car and Driver review [eduright] by backy

Nov 03, 2006 (9:05 am)

Replying to: eduright (Nov 03, 2006 8:56 am)
... the car bobs like a basketball being bounced fast at three feet...
 
That was an exaggeration, right? Like the Corollas in Bosnia?
 
So you are saying the Elantra is "very noisy" even with the automatic? At what speed does the automatic Elantra get "very noisy"?
 
FYI, the Civic does have active front head restraints.

Messages Page 5 of 7

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